Illegal electricity connections not only violate the law but can spark fires, PLN warns

State electricity company PLN’s General Manager for the Greater Jakarta Distribution Unit, Moch. Andy Adchaminoerdin, has reminded the public that unofficial electricity connections not only violate the law but also carry the risk of causing fires due to installations that fail to meet safety standards. To address this, Andy said the company is continuously stepping up public education on the matter so that people gain a better understanding of the dangers of using electricity illegally. “We continue to carry out inspections through 16 implementing units while educating the public about the dangers of unofficial or illegal electricity connections,” Andy stated in Central Jakarta on Wednesday. Andy noted that the problem most frequently encountered is the use of cables that do not comply with standards or lack adequate electrical conductivity. Such conditions have the potential to trigger short circuits that can lead to fires, especially in high-density residential areas. “We have found members of the public adding to their electricity supply with non-standard cables. That is what can cause a potential short circuit,” Andy explained. For this reason, PLN continues to conduct awareness campaigns and field inspections to prevent violations while minimising the risk of electrical accidents. He stressed that the use of illegal electricity connections constitutes a violation of Law Number 30 of 2009 on Electricity. In addition to the threat of criminal sanctions, customers proven to have used electricity illegally will also be subject to back-billing for the energy consumed.